Other Medical Professions
OSTEOPATHY
Every state now recognizes the same legal rights for the Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) as for the Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (M.D.). There are more than 30,000 D.O.s practicing in the world and about 14,500 in the U.S. Most U.S. Osteopaths are family physicians; many practice in rural areas. The training of osteopaths tends to prepare them especially for family practice. With the current public interest in family medicine, osteopathic schools have attracted large numbers of applications and sizeable government support. Many of the nineteen U.S. osteopathic schools are state supported or partially state supported.
Osteopathy has remained distinct from allopathic medicine because of its history, its separate schools, and its philosophy which emphasizes treatment of "the whole person." Osteopaths are particularly trained in the use of manipulative therapy and disorders affecting musculoskeletal systems. However, they also study the use of other methods of therapy: drugs, surgery, psychiatry. In fact, osteopaths specialize in all the recognized areas of medicine. Their medical school curricula are four years after the Bachelors degree, and they have internships and residency requirements similar to M.D. programs. In fact, their entire program is comparable to those of colleges which grant M.D. degrees.
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine now has its own centralized application service, AACOMAS. For further information and to view profiles of the nineteen schools, or to obtain an application, visit the AACOMAS website. Deadlines for applications begin December 1 at most schools, except at a few where it is as late as February 1. Obviously, earlier is better.
Osteopathic colleges expect the same science background of applicants that allopathic colleges do. They also use the MCAT. It is important to demonstrate to them your sincere interest in becoming an osteopath. Because of their minority status in the American medical scene, it would help your application to show an association or familiarity with a practicing osteopath, and most schools require a recommendation or at least an interview with an osteopath.
OPTOMETRY
There are seventeen colleges of optometry in the U.S. Requirements for admission are similar to those for medicine, with the addition of one course in Psychology specified and only one in Organic lab required.
All of the schools require the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) which is given twice a year (February and October), with registration deadlines approximately six weeks in advance of test dates.
Optometry education is directed at health care specifically as it relates to the eyes. Many areas of the country are underserved by optometrists. The program of studies is usually four years after college, but some optometry schools will accept qualifed applicants after three years of college and may award the B.S. themselves after a year. Further information may be obtained from the Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry.
PODIATRY
Podiatrists treat diseases which affect walking and the feet. Because of the interrelations of the anatomical system, podiatrists must diagnose diseases which may affect many other parts of the body.
Most podiatry schools are four years; some are three years. Pre-professional requirements may be met by three years of undergraduate work including: English (6 credits), Biology (8 credits), General Chemistry (8 credits), Organic Chemistry (5 credits), Physics (3 credits), Humanities (12 credits).
There are six podiatry schools accredited by the AACPM in the U.S. They are located in Vallejo (CA), Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, De Moines, and Miami Shores (FL). Further information on these schools is available from the AACPM web site. Most colleges of Podiatry require the MCAT. It may be taken in April of the year of admission provided that the application is submitted by April 1 to AACPM.
VETERINARY MEDICINE
There are twenty-seven colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., most associated with state schools. Competition for admission is nearly as great as it is for M.D. programs. State residency is important for application to veterinary schools. There are some opportunities for Americans to be trained abroad. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) program is four years, and the admission process is similar to that of other four-year health profession degree programs. The Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT) is required or recommended by about half the schools, whereas the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required by others.
The pre-professional course requirements are similar to those for medical school. Recommendations are required. Evidence of work experience with animals is important. Residency in one of the states which has a veterinary school is very important. There are agreements between states which allow students from states with no veterinary schools to apply to certain state schools.
For more information, visit the web site of the Association of American Veterinary Colleges or the American Veterinary Medical Association. Be sure to obtain a copy of Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada (VMSAR).
The AAVMC has established an application service, VMCAS, through which you can apply to any of the participating veterinary schools.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (ASSOCIATES, MEDEX, ETC.)
The PA programs were given considerable impetus in the early 1970s, and some of the programs themselves date from that time. The programs vary considerably. Most would expect some commitment and/or experience in primary health care service. For example, many programs have responded to the desires of returning military medical corpsmen to find training and careers in medicine. In general, the PA training programs should be considered terminal preparation for a career and not as a stepping stone to medical school.
For specific information (application deadlines, entrance requirements, etc.) about any of the approximately fifty PA programs, visit the on-line Physician Assistant Program Directory.
Be sure to visit the web site of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
